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2012 Mazda MAZDA3 i Sport 4dr Sedan Man

2012 Mazda MAZDA3
Trim Info:
Front Wheel Drive, 4 Door Sedan, Compact
25 (Est) mpg city / 33 (Est) mpg hwy
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February 15, 2012, 12:38 am

Bret B
 

Question: What might be the cause of my car shaking/vibrating?

I own a 2007' Mazda 3S (2.3) Whenever I get up to about 45mph and above my car vibrates/shakes. I used to be able to really feel it in my steering wheel but that's gone now. I took it to a mechanic who balanced my tires, (said my alignment was fine) and yet it still does this. What else might the problem be? Cheap tires?? If so would you recommend any tires?


February 18, 2012, 11:24 am

Ron W
Expert Mechanic

My first thought was tire balance. since that is done, you need to have the drive line inspected. You may have a bent axle shaft or hub issue.

Another thought is since you used to feel it in the steering wheel and don't now, it may be a belt wheel. You could swap the wheels from front to back and recheck it. If you now feel it in the steering wheel again, it is either a bent wheel or a tire with some sort of issue (abnormal wear, slipped cord, etc).

I would start with the tire rotation and if it feels the same, it probably is in the suspension, if not reinspected the wheels/tires.

And yes, cheap tires can be rougher riding than expensive ones, but normally they won't cause a vibration.


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